Transportation Projects
Coachella Valley I-10 Corridor Projects:
Bob Hope/Ramon Road – Construction Began February 3, 2010
Originally projected to cost $38 million, Caltrans began construction on this $25.5 million project February 3, 2010. Extends Bob Hope Drive to Varner Road with a new eight-lane bridge over I-10 with new on- and off-ramps. This interchange project received $23.5 million in stimulus funds, with other funding comes from the Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Fund and the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fund (TUMF). The project was made possible by support from CVAG and the Riverside County Transportation Commission. This project will create 500 new jobs.
Palm Drive/Gene Autry Trail – Construction Began March 1, 2010
Originally projected to cost $33 million, Riverside County began construction on this $17 million project March 1, 2010. Replaces the existing two-lane overcrossing with a six-lane overcrossing and bike lanes, in combination with a project to widen the Gene Autry Trail Bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad. In addition to $10.4 million in stimulus funding, other funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration, the Redevelopment Agency, TUMF, the City of Palm Springs, and other local funding. This project will create 350 new jobs.
Indian Canyon – Construction Expected 2010-12
Over the next two years, construction is expected to start on the Indian Canyon interchange project. This will demolish the existing overcrossing and replace it with a new six-lane overcrossing, including bike lanes on each side. It will also widen portions of 20th Avenue and Garnet Avenue, improve traffic signals, storm drainage and freeway vertical clearance. This project will create 350 new jobs.
Date Palm Drive - Construction Expected 2010-12
Over the next two years, construction is expected to start on the Date Palm Drive interchange project. This will widen existing overcrossing on each side to accommodate a total of six lanes of traffic, including bike lanes on each side. This project will create 350 new jobs.
Monterey - Construction Expected 2010-12
Over the next two years, construction is expected to start on the Monterey interchange project. This will modify on and off-ramps, and create 150 new jobs.
Jefferson
The Jefferson Street project will demolish the existing bridge and northbound Indio Boulevard overcrossing and replace it with a new six-lane bridge with bicycle lanes on each side and sidewalk on northbound side of Jefferson Street. It will also realign and widen portions of Varner Road and add traffic signals at the ramps and intersection of Jefferson Street and Varner Road. This project will create 500 new jobs.
Mecca Downtown Street Revitalization – Phase Two Construction Expected Mid-September 2010
Mecca Downtown is generally defined as that portion of the Mecca Townsite located south of Avenue 65, north of Avenue 66, east of Lincoln Street and west of Home Street. The Mecca Downtown Street Revitalization plan comprises construction of approximately seven miles of street, sidewalk, curb and gutter, and street light improvements for fifteen streets within the 1.3 square-mile downtown area.
This extensive $22 million renovation project will be completed in several phases, with the first phase completed in May 2010. Phase two is expected to run through November 2010, with phase three expecting completion in February 2011.
Planning for this project began in October 2004, with the project’s guiding principles established in November 2007. Construction began in October 2009. Phase one included roadway, sidewalk and street light enhancements along Second Street. The final completion date for phase four is expected February 2011, with the roundabout installed by March 2011.
COMPLETED:
Mesa Verde Roads – Completed Spring 2009
Complete resurfacing of all roads, including west side roads which had never been paved before, was accomplished this summer. All roads are now up to county standards, and as a result traffic enforcement can take place within Mesa Verde.
Bermuda Dunes – Completed 2009
Over $4 million was invested by the Riverside County Transportation Department into Bermuda Dunes roads projects, including 3 miles of paving, median improvements, and retention basins.
Thousand Palms Beautification – Varner and Monterey Completed Fall 2009
A major $10 million facelift to the central part of Thousand Palms, focusing on two of the community’s main thoroughfares: Varner Road and Monterey Avenue, was completed last fall. The Riverside County Redevelopment Agency began the improvement project on Monterey and Varner to enhance entry roadways to the community, add more traffic capacity to the roads, rehabilitate poor street sections, relieve flooding problems and improve the community aesthetics. The project included street improvements to ultimate right-of-way to include curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage systems, paving and striping.
The project widened Monterey Avenue to four lanes of parkway with center turn lane. In order to encourage pedestrian traffic along these roads, the project includes new sidewalks. In addition, on the east side of Monterey Avenue an eight-foot wall has been constructed for both aesthetic and traffic noise improvements. Street drainage improvements along Monterey Avenue will eliminate the historical flooding problem in this area. More improvements are ongoing.